COMMENTS FROM STUDENTS, TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS

 I first met Katrina Wreede when, in my capacity as flutist for the Empyrean Ensemble, a professional contemporary music chamber ensemble in residence at the University of California, Davis, I had the opportunity to collaborate with the class she was teaching in the American Composers Forum’s Composer in the Schools (CITS) program. I was immensely impressed with the way Katrina related to her students, the trust they had in her, and not incidentally with the original musical compositions they had produced. I found it hard to believe that many of these students had never composed before joining the CITS program – their work was so fresh and so accomplished.

Two years later, I became director of the San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the American Composers Forum. I have now held this position since February 2001. In the capacity of Chapter Director (now Executive Director) I had the opportunity to see Katrina’s work in the CITS program from the inside, and to collaborate with her on this and other Forum projects. This connection and collaboration has been one of the real joys of my work at the Forum. Katrina brings such a wealth of imagination, experience, and wise intuition to her work in residency situations that she has set a standard that others following in her footsteps have had a hard time approaching. The trust and admiration and love that her students showed at every turn, and their willingness to work hard for her, were reflections of her true commitment to each of them as people.

When she was “retired” as a CITS teacher (we needed to give an opportunity to another composer), we commissioned her to write a handbook outlining her methods and philosophy she had developed for classes of this kind. The work she created is a model of insight and utility, and is beginning to be widely disseminated.

Tod Brody, Executive Director, San Francisco Bay Area Chapter of the American Composers Forum

Katie Wreede has rare talent. She encourages young
musicians to explore their own creative musical ideas
in a nurturing yet professional environment.

 Jay Lehmann, Department Head, Laney College and Music Director and Conductor of Berkeley Youth Symphony

 Your work with the Longfellow kids was fantastic.  I have tried teaching composition every year, and I am never as successful as you were.  The kids actually learned something about composition that they could take away with them, and they always looked forward to your visits.  You have a very methodical approach that I admire and haven't been able to duplicate!

 Jan Davis, Music Teacher, Longfellow Arts Magnet Middle School, Berkeley

 

 Katrina Wreede worked with my string students at Albany High School as a guest composer.  With her enthusiastic and imaginative guidance, the high school students had a great time cooperatively creating their own compositions.  The students also performed their compositions on a school concert.  Katrina Wreede is an inspiring teacher for string players and composers of all ages.

 Beth Snellings, Music Teacher, Albany High School

While co-teaching an improvisation class with Katie this past July, my mind was opened to a new way of approaching composition.  Katie supports free expression while introducing creative, unique ideas. The atmosphere she fosters is warm and supportive. I could feel the students' excitement and focus learning that something challenging was within their grasp.

 Nora Nausbaum, Sierra Jazz Society “Jazz Camp” Co-director 

 I didn't seriously realize how incredibly lucky I was to take a class with Katie until I left home and went to college. Now I’m constantly told that I was really fortunate to have a teacher of Katie's talents. I have many friends who are composition majors at Oberlin, and I was surprised to learn that many of them had never had any formal coaching in composition and most of them had never had their music performed live. We got to have performances with professional musicians and Katie's guidance through every piece. She gave us constructive criticism without ever making me feel like I was being restricted in any way.  I learned so much from Katie and she most definitely played a large role in furthering my education. I doubt that I would have pursued composing had it not been for Katie's class.

 Erika O., former Composer in the Schools (American Composers Forum) student 

 Composing with Katie was one of the most formative experiences of my high school years.  Being asked to look at music as a composer developed not only my creativity and musicality, but also responsibility, organization and leadership abilities. I was asked to meet deadlines, have legible copies for my performers, run a rehearsal, field questions and articulate my meanings.  Her undying support of my ideas built up my self-confidence and love of music.

 Ariel W., former Composer in the Schools (American Composers Forum) student